The Los Angeles Angels announced they have optioned LHP Reid Detmers to Triple-A Salt Lake following Saturday night’s loss to the Seattle Mariners. They recalled Ben Joyce to take his place on the 26-man roster, and have yet to make a decision as to how they will fill Detmers spot in the rotation.
While Detmers spent the offseason firmly in the rotation and as a cornerstone of the Angels franchise, he quickly deteriorated after a hot start to the season. Detmers had a 1.19 ERA through four starts and was looking as though he was finally going to put it all together and take the next step into stardom.
But his last eight starts have been nothing short of disastrous. In eight starts between April 22 and June 1, Detmers posted an 8.93 ERA, a 1.760 WHIP and an opponent OPS of .937. He gave up four or more earned runs in all but one start during this stretch and recorded an out beyond the fifth inning only twice.
So while Detmers being optioned would have felt like a shock less than two months ago, it felt inevitable after Saturday night. Detmers once again was shelled, this time for five earned runs on four hits and four walks in 3.2 innings against the Mariners.
Manager Ron Washington explained what has been going on with Detmers and why he feels optioning him is the best path forward, according to Jeff Fletcher of The O.C. Register:
“He hasn’t been able to consistently put hitters away,” manager Ron Washington said. “Like today, he was ahead of them all day long. And next thing you know the count is 3-2. Just couldn’t command his slider, which is his pitch. Couldn’t command his fastball. The whole idea is we just want to get him in an environment where it’s not results that you’re going to be worrying about, and find your stuff. This is not something that’s going to be permanent, or we feel is detrimental to him. We just feel like he needs to be in an environment where he can refind who he is.”
Joyce now joins the Angels roster as the 26th man. The 23-year-old reliever has not yet pitched in the Majors this season, spending the entirety of 2024 with Double-A Rocket City. He has a 4.26 ERA and 1.158 WHIP in 19 innings.
Who will get the Angels fifth rotation spot?
The Angels have until June 15 to decide who is going to take Detmers’ place in the starting rotation. With off days coming on June 6 and June 10, the Angels could theoretically go with a four-man rotation until June 15 when they are in Northern California to take on the San Francisco Giants.